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Monica_UMay 2026 • Viator
Veronica was an...
Veronica was an incredible guide! As a local, her knowledge of Gwangju's history is impressive. We highly recommend booking a tour with her.
Gwangju City Tour : Where old meets new (private)
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Earliest Date Available: September 18, 2026This experience is in high demand. Book now to lock in the next available date.
Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience
Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world
Why book with byFood?
Japan's #1 food travel platform
Japan's #1 food travel platformTrusted by 50,000+ travelers worldwideCurated by food lovers, for food loversFeatured in CNN, Forbes & NYT
Earliest Date Available: September 18, 2026This experience is in high demand. Book now to lock in the next available date.
Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience
Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world
Why book with byFood?Japan's #1 food travel platform
Japan's #1 food travel platformTrusted by 50,000+ travelers worldwideCurated by food lovers, for food loversFeatured in CNN, Forbes & NYT
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Stroller Accessible
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•9 reviews US$190.83 per guest
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Earliest Date Available: September 18, 2026This experience is in high demand. Book now to lock in the next available date.
Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience
Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world
Why book with byFood?Japan's #1 food travel platform
Japan's #1 food travel platformTrusted by 50,000+ travelers worldwideCurated by food lovers, for food loversFeatured in CNN, Forbes & NYT
Earliest Date Available: September 18, 2026This experience is in high demand. Book now to lock in the next available date.
Free CancellationCancel for free up to 1 day before your experience
Food for HappinessFor every guest in your booking, we donate 10 meals to children around the world
Why book with byFood?Japan's #1 food travel platform
Japan's #1 food travel platformTrusted by 50,000+ travelers worldwideCurated by food lovers, for food loversFeatured in CNN, Forbes & NYT
Description
Good to Know
* This tour takes place in Gwangju, the metropolitan city in South Korea.
Welcome to Gwangju, the city of light!
Famed as Korea’s most delicious city with its generous cuisine, Gwangju is also the proud hometown of Han Kang, who won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature. Shaped by the energy of Mt. Mudeungsan and the courage of its citizens, Korea’s fifth-largest city is peaceful yet vibrant—offering an authentic glimpse of daily life far from the bustle of Seoul and Busan.
On this tour, explore the cityscape, discover art spaces, and taste local specialties while hearing stories of Gwangju. Finish at a local supermarket, where your guide helps you choose authentic Korean ingredients, snacks, tea, and cosmetics. If you prefer not to shop at a local supermarket, you can choose to visit a traditional market instead.
Come as a guest, leave as part of the Gwangju family!
(For a deeper understanding of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, join the “Gwangju May 18 Tour.”)
Private transportation
All Fees and Taxes
Coffee or Tea in a Cafe
Lift and Monorail Rides
Lunch
Personal Travel Insurance
1
20 minutes · Admission Ticket Free
5.18 Democracy Square
Let’s begin our journey at May 18 Democracy Square, the heart of Gwangju, both in meaning and in daily life. Back in May 1980, this plaza was the final stronghold for citizens who bravely stood together against military dictatorship, making it a landmark of Korea’s modern democracy.
Today, it’s a lively gathering spot where young people, locals, and visitors come to reflect, learn, and experience cultural life. From memorial ceremonies to festivals and educational events, May 18 Democracy Square is more than just a place of past pain—it continues to live on as a space where the May Spirit is remembered, practiced, and carried forward by the people of Gwangju.
Let’s begin our journey at May 18 Democracy Square, the heart of Gwangju, both in meaning and in dai…
2
30 minutes · Admission Ticket Free
Asia Culture Center
Right next to May 18 Democracy Square, you’ll find the Asia Culture Center, or ACC. This is one of the largest cultural complexes in Asia, built on the very site of the May 18 Democratic Uprising. The center honors the spirit of democracy while serving as a hub for art and cultural exchange across Asia.
Inside, visitors can enjoy exhibitions, performances, and hands-on programs that change throughout the year. When a recommended exhibition is available, we’ll explore it together as part of the tour. There’s even a modern library and a spacious park, making it a welcoming place for culture lovers and anyone seeking a relaxing visit. Many young people and families come here to hang out, learn, and experience something new.
Right next to May 18 Democracy Square, you’ll find the Asia Culture Center, or ACC. This is one of t…
3
20 minutes · Admission Ticket Free
Dongmyeong-dong Cafe Street
This neighborhood was once considered the most prestigious area in Gwangju. Later, as people moved into modern apartment complexes, the streets here grew quieter. But in recent years, Dongmyeong-dong has come back to life. Old houses have been transformed not only into cafés, but also into restaurants and cultural spaces, and with the opening of the Asia Culture Center in 2015, it became especially popular with the younger generation. Today, it’s one of the liveliest spots in the city—you can enjoy unique cafés, try delicious local restaurants, explore creative venues, and even find special Gwangju souvenirs to take home.
This neighborhood was once considered the most prestigious area in Gwangju. Later, as people moved i…
4
2 hours 30 minutes · Admission Ticket Included
Jisan Recreation Area
Opened in 1978, Jisan Amusement Park was once Gwangju’s largest leisure complex, created as a place for families to relax and enjoy nature. One of its highlights is the old lift that takes you through the forest—on the way down, you’re treated to stunning views of the city below. Even more unique is the monorail. Sitting 350 meters above sea level, it’s the only one of its kind in Korea. From here, you can see all of Gwangju spread out below, along with the magnificent peak of Mudeungsan, a UNESCO Global Geopark. After years of decline and closure, the park was revived in 2016, so when you ride them today, you can enjoy a nostalgic, retro-style journey that takes you back in time.
Opened in 1978, Jisan Amusement Park was once Gwangju’s largest leisure complex, created as a place…
5
1 hour 10 minutes · Admission Ticket Free
Gwangju
Gwangju is famous for its delicious food and generous portions. We’ve carefully selected popular dishes loved by locals. Choose your favorite and pay on the spot for an authentic taste of the city.
1. Yukjeon: thin slices of tender beef pancake, cooked right at the table
2. Tteok-galbi: grilled short rib patties with regional side dishes, prepared by a master chef.
3. Classic Hanjeongsik: traditional Korean set meal featuring a variety of Namdo (Southern Korea) dishes, including fish, meat, and seasonal vegetables.
4. Local Hanjeongsik: a table full of Korean dishes made with regional ingredients. (vegetarian)
5. Jeon Platter & Japchae: assorted Korean pancakes & stir-fried glass noodles with acorn jelly (vegetarian)
6. Fresh bread and pastries with drinks, at Gwangju’s iconic bakery (vegetarian)
7. Seasonal fruit sandwich with coffee or freshly squeezed juice (vegetarian)
Lunch choices range from 12,000 to 38,000 KRW, depending on your choice.
Gwangju is famous for its delicious food and generous portions. We’ve carefully selected popular dis…
6
1 hour 10 minutes · Admission Ticket Free
100
Hankook Tea Co., established in 1951, was Korea’s first commercial tea company and the first to produce matcha(powdered tea) and yellow tea. For their dedication to preserving traditional Korean teas, they have been honored as a “Traditional Food Master” by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Since 1965, they have operated a tea factory here in Gwangju, with green tea fields spread across three regions in Jeollanam-do. Right next to the factory is Chasaengwon, a tea cultural space where visitors can taste Hankook Tea’s products with the guidance of a tea expert, and explore traditional tea ceramics. During our visit, we’ll have the chance to taste both matcha and yellow tea, experiencing the flavors of Korea firsthand.
Hankook Tea Co., established in 1951, was Korea’s first commercial tea company and the first to prod…
7
1 hour · Admission Ticket Free
Yangnim-dong History & Culture Village
Yangnim-dong is a neighborhood where history, art, and architecture come together. In the early 20th century, missionaries from the Southern Presbyterian Church in the USA settled here to spread Christianity and played a key role in advancing medicine and education in Gwangju. Their influence is still visible in the village today, with Gwangju’s oldest church and traces of the many missionaries who worked tirelessly in the city.
During our visit, we will stop by the small gallery of Han Hee-won, a local artist who grew up here, and explore Penguin Village. We’ll walk through narrow alleys where villagers began decorating walls with abandoned items from the past, transforming the neighborhood into an outdoor exhibition space. Today, this area is recognized as part of Yangnim-dong Modern History and Culture Village, featuring murals, antique collections, and a lively art scene—all created by the local community itself, long before commercial interests arrived.
Yangnim-dong is a neighborhood where history, art, and architecture come together. In the early 20th…
8
1 hour · Admission Ticket Free
NH Nonghyup Hanaro Mart
Our final stop is NH Hanaro Mart, a large local food supermarket. Here, you can shop for authentic ingredients for Korean cooking, as well as souvenirs like snacks, coffee, and tea. Your local guide will be there to give expert advice, especially when choosing cosmetics, helping you find the best items and navigate the market. Shopping here is not just practical—it’s a fun and informative part of your tour experience.
If you prefer not to shop at a supermarket, you can choose to visit a traditional "Yangdong Market" instead.
Our final stop is NH Hanaro Mart, a large local food supermarket. Here, you can shop for authentic i…
9
1 hour · Admission Ticket Free
Yangdong Market
You have the option to shop at a local supermarket or enjoy the lively atmosphere of Yangdong Market.
The largest traditional market in Gwangju and Jeollanam-do, Yangdong Market is where locals do their real shopping for fresh produce, seafood, and daily goods, giving visitors an authentic taste of everyday life. With over 100 years of history, it has witnessed key events, from independence movements during the Japanese occupation to supporting citizens during the May 18 Democratic Uprising. Food lovers shouldn’t miss fermented skate (hong-eo), a regional specialty. Its strong, tangy flavor may surprise first-timers, but many locals say they can’t live without it. Yangdong Market is also ideal for exploring a wide variety of local foods, from traditional side dishes to street snacks.
You have the option to shop at a local supermarket or enjoy the lively atmosphere of Yangdong Market…
Pickup Point
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Pickup Details
For the pick-up service and meeting, please provide us with your address in Gwangju. We will confirm the exact pick-up time one day before your tour.
Free cancellation
Cancel up to 1 day before for a full refund.
No refund within 1 day of the experience or no-shows.
5.09 reviews
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9 reviews
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Cornelia_NOctober 2025 • Viator
Amazing cultural, historic and nature experiences
Fantastic itinerary! Veronica is amazing. Due to weather conditions and traveller preferences she customised the tour. She recommended restaurants and dishes that were all good.
KO
Kasey OAugust 2025 • TripAdvisor
Wonderful day tour with Veronica
Highly recommend this incredible experience - the Gwangju City Tour with Veronica! It is the perfect way to explore this vibrant city. The tour touched on the city's rich history and art scene, but also Gwangju's pivotal role in South Korea's democratization movement. The most impactful part of the tour is visiting sites related to the May 18th Democratization Movement - The May 18 Archives and the Jeonil Building 245. Veronica is very knowledgeable and bought the complex and important stories...read more
E
Emily_BAugust 2025 • Viator
Veronica gave us a full...
Veronica gave us a full tour of the city and mountains. We were there for a special family reason, and learning about the City’s history and character of the people was so meaningful. She treated us like family, and we are so thankful for the time.
JO
Jaana OApril 2025 • TripAdvisor
Gwangju tour
Veronica, our guide, was kind, helpful and an excellent guide. She took our wishes to heart and made them come true. Recommend warmly!
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